Columbia County students head back to school

Wednesday

Aug 9, 2017 at 2:29 AM

Abbigail Lennon @ALennon_CT

Columbia County schools got back in action Monday on the first day of school, for what several education leaders called a smooth first day.

"Today was a very smooth day, despite traffic congestion in the morning and this afternoon," said Dr. Sandra Carraway, superintendent of schools. "Parents and the community appear to have been very well-prepared for delays and congestion, keeping traffic problems to a minimum. As far as school goes, children and faculty and staff were very excited and we had a wonderful day, particularly at Grovetown Elementary and Harlem Middle, where they enjoyed spectacular new buildings!"

The new Harlem Middle School met projected number of students and even had more enroll on the first day, according to principal Carl Jackson.

Small elements were still coming together on the second day students got back to school, including the gym floor that Jackson said would be ready for students to start dressing out in next week.

"Our gym is now finished but we can't walk on the floor until next week, so our P.E. is having volleyball in the parking lot, which actually works pretty well," Jackson said, adding that they were waiting on just a few more small things such as a few office furniture pieces.

"We had a great first day," Jackson said. "My favorite part of it was watching as people walked in and seeing their eyes light up because it's such a beautiful building. It was very smooth."

At the county's smallest elementary school, North Columbia, some students dressed up as super heroes for their first day back, in line with the school's theme for the year, "We are going to have a Marvel-ous year!"

"Day one went really well," said the school's principal, Tonya Gambrell. "It was smooth for a first day of school. We taught children all of their expectations to be respectful, responsible and ready to learn and they really showed off; they did a great job following directions and just moving right along into the routine."

Gambrell said that the school had a few more students than last year and also hit their projected attendance rate of 350 students.

"We are looking forward to a wonderful year," Gambrell said.

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